Advocating for a Dedicated IPC Budget at Institutional Level, experiences from Zimbabwe at 23 Health Institutions
Tracks
Meeting Room 1.61 - 1.62
| Tuesday, July 1, 2025 |
| 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM |
Overview
Speaker: Ms Margaret Muzambi
Speaker
Ms Margaret Muzambi
ICAZ-T
Advocating for a Dedicated IPC Budget at Institutional Level, experiences from Zimbabwe at 23 Health Institutions
Abstract
Background
The effective implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Programmes in Health facilities needs financial support. Currently in Zimbabwe any IPC funding available is fragmented within various Ministry of Health and Child Care programmes areas other than directly to IPC. This system of disbursement has made it difficult to fund the National IPC Strategic Plan. In 2023-2024 the Infection Control Association of Zimbabwe Trust (ICAZ-T) established a project (funded by Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL)) in 2023 to advocate for a dedicated annual National IPC budget for planned IPC activities.
Methodology
The Team conducted meetings in September 2023 for Health Managers from 10 provinces to sensitize them on the health budget cycle and include IPC in budget plans. Follow up site support visits to Health institutions (HIs) in each province were conducted to determine budgets developed for IPC activities for 2024 and compared with 2023. One institutional manager was interviewed per facility and data collected using a Qualitative Tool focusing on 4 priority areas described in the National IPC strategic plan 2024-2026.
Results
23 HIs from 10 provinces had a functional IPC Programme and dedicated IPC Focal Persons at Provincial, District and Central level. 18/23 budgeted for IPC training. 19/23 budgeted for repairs of WASH and laundry facilities, 6/23 budgeting for laundry, waste management equipment and industrial Incinerators.
Conclusion
Following the training of managers, the 23 HIs showed dedication of funds towards priority IPC areas but disbursement of funds from government remained challenging
The effective implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Programmes in Health facilities needs financial support. Currently in Zimbabwe any IPC funding available is fragmented within various Ministry of Health and Child Care programmes areas other than directly to IPC. This system of disbursement has made it difficult to fund the National IPC Strategic Plan. In 2023-2024 the Infection Control Association of Zimbabwe Trust (ICAZ-T) established a project (funded by Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL)) in 2023 to advocate for a dedicated annual National IPC budget for planned IPC activities.
Methodology
The Team conducted meetings in September 2023 for Health Managers from 10 provinces to sensitize them on the health budget cycle and include IPC in budget plans. Follow up site support visits to Health institutions (HIs) in each province were conducted to determine budgets developed for IPC activities for 2024 and compared with 2023. One institutional manager was interviewed per facility and data collected using a Qualitative Tool focusing on 4 priority areas described in the National IPC strategic plan 2024-2026.
Results
23 HIs from 10 provinces had a functional IPC Programme and dedicated IPC Focal Persons at Provincial, District and Central level. 18/23 budgeted for IPC training. 19/23 budgeted for repairs of WASH and laundry facilities, 6/23 budgeting for laundry, waste management equipment and industrial Incinerators.
Conclusion
Following the training of managers, the 23 HIs showed dedication of funds towards priority IPC areas but disbursement of funds from government remained challenging
Biography
